United News of Bangladesh

The International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances will be observed in Bangladesh on Sunday, as elsewhere in the world, highlighting the plight of people who have gone missing under mysterious or unlawful circumstances. Marking the day, various human rights, political and social organisations will hold programmes to raise awareness and demand justice for the victims. Under the slogan “Victims First. Actions Now”, the day puts victims and their rights to truth, justice and reparation at the centre, while calling on states and other stakeholders to take action to prevent enforced disappearances. The United Nations (UN) observe August 30 as the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances since 2011, with the aim of raising global awareness of enforced disappearances, tracing missing people and showing solidarity with their families. The day is also linked to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 20, 2006. The convention seeks to prevent enforced disappearances and end impunity for those responsible for the crime. It entered into force in 2010. Families of disappeared people, along with government and non-government organisations, observe the day through various programmes. The main objective of the day is to highlight the grave human rights violations associated with enforced disappearances and press states to ensure accountability, justice and protection for victims and their families. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman issued a message on Saturday on the eve of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances to be observed on Sunday. In his message, the prime minister said enforced disappearance is one of the most serious crimes in the world and an extreme violation of human rights. “It is a global problem, particularly in authoritarian systems and politically conflicted regions,” he said. He further that a disappearance or abduction is far more than the loss of an individual, as it shatters the dreams, hopes and aspirations of an entire family. “Relatives of disappeared people who continue to wait for their return spend their days in an uncertain reality, with no end in sight,” he said. He also expressed his deepest sympathy and condolences to victims of enforced disappearance in Bangladesh and around the world, as well as to their families. Tarique Rahman called for global unity and solidarity to ensure justice and accountability for individuals and institutions involved in enforced disappearances. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday pledged that his government would make its utmost efforts to fulfil the aspirations of those who sacrificed their lives or suffered injuries in the struggles for independence, democracy and people’s rights. “Despite various practical realities, we will make our utmost efforts to fulfil the aspirations of those who sacrificed their lives in 1971, those who were killed or suffered in different movements to establish democracy since independence, and those who were killed or injured in the July uprising,” he said. The Prime Minister was speaking at a programme held at the Karabi Hall of the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon to hand over job appointment letters to members of families affected by enforced disappearances and killings and the July uprising. He said the government would not retreat from its commitment despite the difficulties involved in implementing all expectations within the desired timeframe.

Civil society organizations on Saturday called for a clear roadmap to protect human rights from the growing impacts of climate change in Bangladesh, stressing the need for stronger institutional coordination, systematic monitoring and evidence-based policy action. The call was made at a national advocacy seminar titled “Stock-Take Exercise on the Implementation of UPR-4 Recommendations for Safeguarding Against Climate-Induced Human Rights Violations in Bangladesh” held at the BRAC Centre Inn in Dhaka. The Center for Participatory Research and Development (CPRD), Action Against Hunger (ACF) and the Climate Justice Alliance-Bangladesh jointly organized the event, which brought together policymakers, human rights defenders, climate experts, academics, researchers and civil society representatives. The seminar reviewed Bangladesh's progress in implementing climate-related recommendations accepted by the government under the fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and identified gaps that need to be addressed. Participants also established a civil society platform and developed an action plan focusing on evidence generation, monitoring and advocacy to strengthen safeguards against climate-induced human rights violations. 12 recommendations accepted In his opening remarks, CPRD Chief Executive and National Coordinator of the Climate Justice Alliance-Bangladesh Md Shamsuddoha said Bangladesh had supported two climate-related recommendations during the third UPR cycle in 2018 aimed at addressing and mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change. Building on those commitments, a coalition of 15 civil society organizations led by CPRD made a joint submission during the fourth UPR cycle in 2023. The submission documented evidence of climate-induced human rights violations and proposed strategic actions across seven thematic areas. The government subsequently accepted 12 recommendations for implementation during 2024-2027. “We have the responsibility to follow up on how far these pledges have been translated into policies, programs, and actions, and to identify the pathways to address the gaps,” Shamsuddoha said. Climate change worsening rights violations Dr Nurun Nahar, additional secretary at the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, said climate change was increasingly contributing to human rights violations in Bangladesh, with climate-vulnerable and frontline communities bearing the greatest burden. She said international climate negotiations had yet to adequately institutionalize mechanisms to address climate-induced human rights violations. “This remains a major concern for us,” she said. The keynote presentation, delivered by Sheikh Nur Ataya Rabbi, program manager-research and advocacy at CPRD, presented evidence of climate change-induced human rights violations documented since the third UPR cycle. It also outlined civil society recommendations submitted during the fourth UPR cycle and assessed their implementation progress. Call for stronger institutions and monitoring Former additional secretary of the Department of Environment and former deputy managing director of PKSF Dr Fazle Rabbi Sadek Ahmed stressed the need for stronger institutional coordination, systematic monitoring and evidence generation. He also called for sustained policy advocacy to ensure that commitments made under the UPR process are translated into effective measures on the ground. Shaheen Anam, MBE, executive director of Manusher Jonno Foundation, appreciated CPRD and its partners for leading the initiative and urged continued efforts to protect climate-vulnerable and frontline communities. She emphasized stronger collaboration among human rights defenders, climate experts, academics and civil society organizations. Former additional director general of the Department of Environment Md Ziaul Haque said the government was concerned about climate-induced violations but needed to significantly strengthen institutional capacity to ensure adequate safeguards. He also called for greater support from the international community and civil society organizations.

The U.S. Treasury Department on Friday proposed revoking Banque Misr UAE's correspondent banking access, launching a new sanctions campaign dubbed "Operation Economic Outcast". The department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) labeled the bank a "critical node" for Iran's access to U.S. dollars. FinCEN alleged that between January 2024 and June 2026, the bank processed $1.8 billion for 103 companies suspected of operating within Iranian shadow banking networks. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that Iranian enablers would lose access to the global financial system. Separately, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Reza Mohammad Taeedi, general manager of Bank Melli's Dubai branch, for allegedly facilitating billions of dollars in transactions for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force. Bessent had announced the campaign on Monday, pledging to sever Tehran's remaining economic lifelines. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi condemned the operation as "economic terrorism" and called on the United Nations to denounce the U.S. actions.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday directed the authorities concerned to introduce an Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system at toll plazas on expressways and flyovers within four months as part of efforts to ease traffic congestion in Dhaka and modernise the city’s transport system. He gave the directive at a meeting at his Tejgaon office that reviewed the capital’s traffic situation, public transport management, bus terminals, parking facilities and traffic system modernisation. The meeting decided to develop an app to support the ETC system and complete the work within four months, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin. The Prime Minister also asked Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) to review its earlier report on congestion around the Jatrabari-Gulistan Flyover and submit recommendations within 15 days. The initiative will be implemented in coordination with the city corporations and traffic police. Fulbaria terminal to be shifted to Keraniganj The meeting decided to relocate the Fulbaria Bus Terminal to Keraniganj to reduce pressure from buses and inter-district vehicles in central Dhaka. The Local Government Ministry will acquire the required land for the permanent terminal. As construction of a permanent terminal will take time, the meeting decided to build a temporary bus terminal on 15 acres of land under the Jhilmil project within four months. The authorities were also instructed to expand the rear section of Gabtoli Bus Terminal to increase its capacity and improve vehicle management. Karwan Bazar kitchen market to move to Gabtoli The meeting also decided to relocate the kitchen market at Karwan Bazar to Gabtoli as part of efforts to reduce traffic congestion in the capital. Relevant authorities were instructed to take necessary steps to implement the decision. The meeting also discussed improving parking facilities around the Secretariat. It decided to examine the feasibility of arranging parking at Osmani Memorial Auditorium and identify alternative parking spaces if necessary. Separate policy for auto-rickshaws The meeting decided to formulate a separate policy to regulate the movement of auto-rickshaws in Dhaka. The Prime Minister also ordered action against unauthorised double-decker sleeper buses operating on the roads. He stressed stronger coordination among the relevant agencies and urged officials to complete the assigned tasks within the stipulated deadlines. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam, Pabna-5 MP Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani, Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar and senior officials concerned attended the meeting.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has seized drugs and smuggled goods worth around Tk 28.85 lakh in separate raids along the Kushtia border. BGB conducted the raids at different border points under the jurisdiction of Kushtia Battalion (47 BGB) on Friday and Saturday based on specific intelligence. Kushtia Battalion Commander Lt Col Rashed Kamal Rony confirmed the seizures through a press release on Saturday afternoon. According to the release, a BGB team conducted a raid in the Kathaltala field area under Kathuli Border Outpost (BOP) around 11am Friday and recovered two bottles of Indian liquor and 2kg of cannabis. In another raid, a team from Thotarpara BOP recovered 1,000 Indian dexamethasone tablets, 550 cyproheptadine tablets, four bottles of Fairdil syrup and one bottle of Scaf syrup from the Pakuria field area around 12:40am Saturday. Around 3:30am, a team from Kajipur BOP raided the Kajipur Nawpara switch-gate area and recovered 400 bottles of Fairdil syrup and 7,600 dexamethasone tablets. Later, around 6am Saturday, a team from Pragpur BOP conducted a raid near Gurer Para Jame Mosque and recovered 1,710 packets of Indian leaf cigarettes. BGB said all the seized items were recovered abandoned and no one was arrested in connection with the seizures. The estimated market value of the seized drugs and smuggled goods is Tk 28,85,450, according to BGB. The border force said it continues to conduct regular operations and maintain surveillance to prevent the infiltration of drugs and smuggling along the border.

Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury has said media freedom will be curtailed if journalists are not provided with adequate protection. “Journalists cannot work freely without protection, and without free and independent journalism, the country and democracy cannot progress,” he said. He made the remarks at the annual general meeting of the Journalists Union, Cox’s Bazar, held at Cox’s Bazar Press Club on Saturday. Kader Gani said the state must ensure the safety of journalists to establish democracy. He called for unity among journalists to protect both media freedom and their professional interests. The BFUJ secretary general said journalists are now able to work more freely than at any previous time, but the challenges facing the profession have not ended. “Political influence, institutional pressure and professional insecurity are making it difficult for many journalists to work independently,” he said. He said unwanted interference in journalism undermines media freedom, while poor journalism and lack of professional skills are also major concerns. At the same time, pressure from media organisations can sometimes force journalists to compromise their ethical positions, he said. Kader Gani said ensuring responsible journalism requires not only safety but also fair wages, a proper working environment and professional dignity for journalists. He alleged that most media outlets do not comply with the Wage Board and that in some organisations journalists are paid less than drivers employed by media owners. “These practices must stop. We have urged the government to implement a ‘no Wage Board, no media’ policy. If this is implemented, much of the disorder within the media industry can be eliminated,” he said. He said journalism is not merely a job, as journalists play an important role in protecting democracy, human rights and the rights of people from all religions, races and communities, as well as in eliminating discrimination. “If the media does not speak out, many forms of crime spread in society,” he said. Kader Gani said democracy and citizens’ rights cannot be ensured without independent and strong journalism. He said the Constitution of Bangladesh provides protection for an independent judiciary as well as an independent media, but journalists are still subjected to lawsuits, harassment and abuse while performing their professional duties. Kader Gani said journalists are considered the conscience of the nation and the pen is their most powerful weapon. “Silencing a journalist does not only suppress an individual’s voice; it narrows the path to revealing the truth,” he said. “When the conscience of a nation becomes silent, there are fewer people left to call injustice an injustice. That is why ensuring journalists’ safety is essential,” he added. Journalists Union, Cox’s Bazar President Nurul Islam Helali presided over the meeting. BFUJ President Obaidur Rahman Shaheen, Cox’s Bazar Press Club President Mahbubur Rahman, founding member SM Aminul Haque Chowdhury, General Secretary Momtaz Uddin Bahari, Vice President Kamal Hossain Azad, Joint Secretary Ikram Chowdhury Tipu, Journalists Union, Cox’s Bazar Vice President Mahbubur Rahman and General Secretary SM Zafar also spoke at the programme.

The Zia International Rapid Rating Chess Tournament began at Ekok Sangha Club in Sirajganj town on Saturday, with 75 players from across the country taking part. The tournament was inaugurated at around 10am at the club on Mujib Road in the municipal area. Bangladesh Nationalist Sports Party, Sirajganj district unit, organised the tournament with support from the Bangladesh Chess Federation and Ekok Sangha Club. BNP Central Executive Committee member and Sirajganj district unit General Secretary Saidur Rahman Bachchu, also president of Ekok Sangha Club, inaugurated the tournament. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Bachchu said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has attached great importance to sports and has pledged to establish a playground in every union of the country so that students and young people can engage in sports. He urged the government to build a modern stadium and an indoor stadium in Sirajganj. He expressed hope that such competitions would help expand chess activities in the district and create new talented players. District Chhatra Dal President Junaet Hossain Shobuj, Bangladesh Nationalist Sports Party Sirajganj unit convener Mohammad Hedayetul Islam Fruit and Member Secretary Mohammad Ashraful Alam Alim, among others, spoke at the event. Joint Convener Nur-e-Alam Dakku, journalist and committee member HM Mokaddes, and other leaders and members of the organisation were also present. Ashraful Alam Alim said 75 chess players, including international-rated players, from all 64 districts are participating in the tournament. Under the rapid rating format, each player will have 10 minutes and an additional five seconds per move. A total of 21 players will be awarded prizes, with Tk 51,500 allocated as prize money. The tournament drew a large crowd of players and spectators at Ekok Sangha Club from the morning, creating an enthusiastic atmosphere as players from different parts of the country joined the competition.

Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan on Saturday said BNP wants to build a democratic and prosperous Bangladesh based on established human rights. “BNP wants to build a democratic and prosperous Bangladesh in this country with established human rights,” he said. He made the remarks at a press conference organised at the Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Center on the occasion of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances 2026. “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, we want to build such a social system where the word ‘disappearance’ will not exist, and neither will the words ‘torture’ and ‘repression’,” he said. “We want to establish a Bangladesh based on justice by overcoming that terrible dark chapter of the past,” Ahmed Azam Khan said. “There will be no enforced disappearance or forced disappearance, and such heinous crimes against humanity will never take place in Bangladesh again,” he said. The minister said BNP had played a leading role in the movement against enforced disappearances, killings and torture over the past 18 years. Ahmed Azam Khan said the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances could not be observed during the previous “fascist government”. “But now, in a healthy and democratic environment, under a patriotic government and organised by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, we hope to observe the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances successfully tomorrow with everyone’s cooperation,” he said. He urged journalists and all concerned to extend their full cooperation to make the programme successful.

Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman on Saturday has said the government will decide whether Bangladesh will join the Mecca Pact, stressing that India will follow its own foreign policy while Bangladesh will pursue its own interests. “India will act as India, and Bangladesh will act as Bangladesh,” he said. The minister also said the government is working urgently to enact a stringent law to prevent enforced disappearances and establish a strong human rights commission. Delhi spells out Mecca Pact has security implications for India He said a final decision on the matter would be taken at Sunday’s session. The minister made the remarks while talking to reporters after attending a reception for meritorious students at Jhenaidah Collectorate School and College. The government is also giving special importance to implementing the e-Judiciary project to make the judicial system more efficient and reduce case backlogs, he said, adding that the government plans to complete the project within a year. He spoke about the government’s position on various national and local issues. Asaduzzaman said people killed in different villages of Jhenaidah during alleged atrocities by the Jatiya Rakkhi Bahini between 1972 and 1974 could seek legal recourse if their families wished to do so. “The doors of justice are open to everyone,” he said, adding that courts could positively consider cases if families of victims of enforced disappearance and killings seek legal assistance. Responding to questions about the slow progress of the six-lane highway construction in Jhenaidah and the poor condition of roads across the district, the minister said steps would be taken to reduce the severe suffering of commuters caused by the narrow roads and prolonged construction work. He said he would speak with the relevant ministries and authorities to expedite the six-lane highway project and issue stronger instructions for road repairs. Asked about the stalled construction of a modern multi-storey super market in Jhenaidah municipality following a writ petition filed by environmental organisation Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), the minister said he was not fully aware of the matter. He said steps that could be taken to resolve the legal complications would be examined. Regarding the government’s zero-tolerance policy against corruption in government offices and courts in Jhenaidah, the minister said action against corrupt officials had already begun. He urged people to view the ongoing measures positively. On the law and order situation across the country, Asaduzzaman said the issue was not whether the government was satisfied with the situation, but that it was working relentlessly to maintain normal law and order. Jhenaidah Deputy Commissioner Noman Hossain presided over the reception. Prime Minister’s Political Assistant Rashed Khan, District Council Administrator Abdul Majid, Executive Officer Selim Reza, Deputy Director of the Local Government Division Rathindra Nath Ray and Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Dipa Rani Sarkar, among others, attended the programme.

Bhutan has nominated Dasho Sonam Topgay for the post of Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), as the eight-member regional bloc remains deadlocked and has not convened a summit in more than a decade. Topgay’s nomination will require the consensus of all seven other SAARC member states before he can formally take charge of the regional body. The nomination comes as incumbent SAARC Secretary General Md Golam Sarwar of Bangladesh is set to complete his three-year term at the end of October, an official told UNB. Under SAARC’s established alphabetical rotation system, it is Bhutan’s turn to nominate the next secretary general. The issue is likely to come up at a SAARC meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York next month, where member states may seek to reach a consensus on the next Secretary General, a diplomatic source told UNB. SAARC comprises Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The 18th SAARC Summit was held in Kathmandu, Nepal from November 26 to 27, 2014. The state heads of eight SAARC member countries along with their delegations had meeting during the Summit and discussed the agendas of SAARC. The leaders, at the 18th Summit, welcomed the offer of the government of Islamic Republic of Pakistan to host the Nineteenth Summit of SAARC in 2016 in Islamabad but it was postponed following India's withdrawal from the event after the Uri terror attack.  “You know our position on SAARC. I have clarified on many occasions. We all know why SAARC is not moving and there is one particular country which is responsible for that,” Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson at the Ministry of External Affairs, told the reporters in New Delhi last week. On the question of Secretary General, he said, “Yes there is a Secretary General because SAARC has a Secretariat. On the candidature of the new Secretary General, I'll have to come back to you as to what the position is.” Bangladesh Renews Push to Revive SAARC State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has recently reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to revitalising the SAARC and highlighted the ministry’s intention to play a more proactive role. She emphasised sustained political engagement, cultural initiatives and broader stakeholder involvement. Bangladesh thinks regional cooperation remains vital for addressing the common challenges facing South Asia and advancing the shared interests and aspirations of its peoples. Bangladesh reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the SAARC process and emphasised the need to keep the spirit of regional cooperation alive through sustained engagement, dialogue and practical collaboration among Member States. The SAARC Secretary General Md Golam Sarwar paid a farewell courtesy call on Prime Minister of Bangladesh Tarique Rahman on August 23. During the meeting, the Secretary General expressed his deep appreciation to the government and people of Bangladesh for the country’s historic leadership and steadfast commitment to the SAARC process and regional cooperation. He underscored the enduring significance of SAARC as the premier regional platform for promoting peace, stability, prosperity and shared development in South Asia, according to the SAARC Secretariat. The Secretary General recalled with profound respect the visionary initiative of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman of Bangladesh, whose statesmanship and foresights led to the establishment of SAARC. He also highlighted Bangladesh’s pioneering role in the creation of the regional organization and its continued constructive contribution to advancing regional cooperation. The Secretary General acknowledged Bangladesh’s important contribution as the host of the SAARC Agriculture Center and the South Asian Regional Standards Organization, and expressed sincere appreciation for the country’s longstanding support to SAARC and its Specialized Bodies and Regional Centres. The meeting underscored the importance of translating the shared vision of SAARC into practical, people-centred and result-oriented cooperation, with greater emphasis on economic integration, connectivity, food security, climate resilience, sustainable development and enhanced people-to-people contacts. The Secretary General expressed his sincere gratitude to the Prime Minister and the government of Bangladesh for their continued support to SAARC. He reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with all Member States to advance the objectives of SAARC and contribute to the revitalization of the regional process, in keeping with the vision of its founding leaders and the aspirations of the peoples of South Asia.